The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-03-26

an indescribable intonation in her
voice.
"Wcll get things Strengthened up,
after while" said Mr.. Chesney,
bustling to drive away the pigs, who
had broken out of their pen and
were squealing dislnally under the
window.
Mrs Chesney cried herself to
sleep that night, and awakened the
next morning with every bone in
stinct with shooting pains.
"And no WONDER" said Spencer.
"There's foot of water in the eel
lar
We must have it drained" said
Mr.. Chesney, with an uneasy look;
"but there's plenty Of things to do
first.
And now began reign of the
strictest economy. Mr.. Chesney
himself paid for everything with
checks, and not an article came into
the house or came out of it without
his cognizance. New dresses were
frowned upon spring bonnets were
strictly interdicted orders were is
sued that old carpets should be re-
served, and broken dishes repaired
with cement and quick lime.
Save, save, save That is the
chief thing" he kept repeating,
briskly. "Women-folks can't earn !;
they should try their best to save"
ITS all very well for papa, grow
led VIII. "He goes to the city every
day and sees something besides the
pigs and the dead apple-trees. He
orders Il new suit when he needs it.
Look at mammals patched gown
and Rosie's dyed bonnet-strings
Why, they can't even go to church,
they are such objects! He gets his
lunch at Il restaurant, and we eat
cold beans and drink dandelion cof-
fee and sage tea !"
Boys" fluttered Rosie, 1--WE an
idea, Mary Penn, who lives on the
next farm, you know, came to see
Elma and me yesterday. Papa is
earning his living wen earn some
thing, too
Il should like to know how"
muttered Spencer. Il might hire
out somewhere as farm hand, and
the pigs, and the wood-chopping,
and"
"Oh, but there is something that
won't interfere with the chores, nor
with school !" said cheerful little
Rosie Just listen, all | ask of YOU
is lsten!n
And weeks grew into mcnths, and
the red leaves eddied down in little
swirls from the maple trees, and pig
killing time" come, and, with the
aid of a lame, one-eyed man, Mr..
Chcsney laid down his own stock of
pork and sausages for the winter,
the sense of being triumphantly
economical.
The family had left off complain
ing now. Apparently they were re-
signed to their doom. But there
some things that Mr.. Chcsney could
not explain at all.
a new rug frightened up the dis
NAL hues of the parlor carpet Rosie
had crimson merino dress, trim
med with black velvet bars Elma's
fall jacket was edged with substan-
tial black fur; and-gand, grand
climax of extravaganza Mrs. Ches-
ney had Il new shawl, in place Of the
old broche garment which had been
her mothers before her
He looked over the housekeeping
books with renewed vigilance he
consulted the stubs in his check
book with a glance that nothing
could escape.
"I--don't- know-how they
manage it, said he scratching his
head with the pencil he always car
ried. 81 hatemystcries, and Imean
to be at the bottom of this before IN
an hour Older
He took his account-book under
his arm and marched into the kitch-
en-, where his wife was clearing the
late supper.
Abigail . said he, "how is this ?
I've given you no money. You've
long left of asking for money. How
have you managed to smarter your
self and children up so? | won't be
cheated by my own wife,
Elma set down the pitcher she
was wiping, and came and stood be-
fore her father with glittering eyes
and cheeks stained with crimson,
like a flag of battle.
Papa" She said, you must not
speak to mamma SO. Mamma
would not cheat YOU nor nobody
else. Its money that we have earn
ed ourselves. Whore now Now p